Situated on the lush green base of Velimalai Hills (a part of the
Western Ghats), Vellimalai (also spelt Velimalai) is a small settlement in
Kanyakumari District,
Tamil Nadu. The town sprawls over an area of about 16 sq km. Kothanalloor is situated in the west, Mulagumoodu in the south-west, Azhagappapuram in the north-east, Boothapandi in the south-east and Ponmani in the north. Valliyar River flows through the place.
Legend says that
Lord Muruga wedded Valli at this place and hence the name Velimalai or Vellimalai ( ‘veli’ means marriage.)
Kumarakovil, a temple dedicated to
Lord Muruga, is the prime attraction, which is situated at on the slopes of the Velimalai Hills. Noorul Islam College of Engineering is the major landmark.
Padmanabhapuram, housing the palace of the erstwhile Travancore Maharaja, is only 7 km from Vellimalai.
Arulmigu Boothalinga Swamy Ammbal Temple at Boothapandi,
Padmanabhapuram Palace,
Sanguthurai Beach, Manavalakurichi,
Colachel Port,
Kanyakumari (34 km),
Muttam and
Nagercoil are nearby tourist spots.
Accommodation is available at
Hotel Rajam and
Parvathi Residency at Nagercoil.
The nearest airport is
Trivandrum International Airport. Vellimalai can be approached from Nagercoil and
Thiruvananthapuram by road.
